Enabling data entry based on differentiated input objects

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for facilitating virtual input in devices that differentiates input objects are provided. Various methods for automatically configuring component settings and features of such devices are described. Changes in the component settings of the device and the corresponding operational characteristics of the device that triggered said changes may be grouped into profiles and selected by users. The component settings may include useful assisting features such as additional lighting provide by a LED and illuminated visual guides of the virtual input interface projected by a laser or LED. The characteristics of such assisting features may be modified dynamically in response to changes in the state of a reference object.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/787,805 filed May26, 2010, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patentapplications Ser. No. 61/216,993 filed May 26, 2009, and Ser. No.61/217,649 filed Jun. 3, 2009, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Ser. No. 11/361,858 filed Feb. 23, 2006, which claims priority from U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/655,469 filed Feb. 23, 2005,which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

The invention described herein was made, in part, in the course of worksupported by National Science Foundation Grant IIP-0924574.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to the field of data entry, andin particular, to methods and apparatus for user input in a virtualdevice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Tapping Finger Identification (TFI) technology disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/361,858 by Ling Su et al. enables a newtype of data entry solution by differentiating an input object from agroup of candidate input objects. For example, TFI-enabled keyboardsdetermine user input not only based on which key was pressed, but alsoon which of the user's fingers was used to press the key, as each keymay be capable of selecting multiple symbols or functions. When providedwith a virtual interface, TFI-enabled systems permit users to touch typeor perform multi-touch input on invisible devices on a work surface oreven “in the air”.

While fingers, as an obvious example to facilitate understanding, arefrequently used in the discussion, it is worth noting that other typesof input objects may also be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages allin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a virtual interface for keyboard and mouse inputprovided by a data entry device that differentiates input objects.

FIG. 2 depicts a mobile device equipped with a swivel camera.

FIG. 3 illustrates a simulated keyboard that may be provided on-screento users as a guide during input.

FIG. 4 depicts a reduced representation of the simulated keyboard shownin FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts a virtual mouse interface.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process for determining input symbols or functionsof a virtual input device.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram having components relating to oneembodiment of a computer-implemented virtual input device.

FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of a virtual keyboard that dynamicallychanges its location in relation to a reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Data entry based on differentiated input objects, such as a user'sfingers while typing, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/361,858 by Ling Su et al., finds numerous applications that includevirtual keyboard, virtual multi-touch input, gaming, etc. Methods andapparatus for enabling systems and applications incorporating such dataentry methods are provided herein.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating components relating toportions of one embodiment of a computer-implemented virtual inputdevice 700, which incorporates actuating object identificationtechnology to differentiate input objects during user input inaccordance with the process 600 shown in FIG. 6. The virtual inputdevice 700 is provided having a processor module 702, an associatedmemory module 704, an input module 706, an input assist module 708, anoutput module 710, and a configuration module 712. These modules may becoupled together directly or indirectly, such as through a data bus.

The processor module 702 executes program instructions, stored in memorymodule 704, including instructions relating to the underlyingcontrolling software of the device 700, in response to virtual userinput received through the input module 706. Such virtual user input isdefined herein as any actuation of a remote input region associated withdevice 700 that causes the device to interpret a valid input. An inputregion is simply a pre-determined area in two-dimensional orthree-dimensional space designated for user input. The location of theinput region is typically fixed in relation to some reference point orobject, such as a working surface, a face, a hand, a computing device,and so on. Some examples of input region actuation include, but notlimited to: tapping finger(s) on an input region to signify a keystrokeor mouse click, sliding finger(s) in an input region to signify mousecursor movement, and fingers making particular gestures (e.g., extendingindex and middle fingers to form a “V” sign) within an input region tosignify particular commands. Thus, virtual interfaces that require notactile sensing mechanisms such as mechanical keys or a touch-sensitivesurface may be provided within input regions to accept user input. Someexamples of virtual interfaces include virtual keyboards, virtual phonekeypads, virtual touchpads, virtual tablets etc. It is understood thatvirtual devices are often invisible, although an image of the device maybe present on the input region to assist the user. For example, an imagemay be projected onto the input region using a laser or light emittingdiode (LED). Alternatively, a paper bearing a printed image may beplaced on the input region.

In a preferred configuration of the device 700, the input module 706performs remote data acquisition, in step 608 of process 600, on theinput region and sends the captured data to the processor module 702 forprocessing. Such remote data acquisition may be achieved, for example,utilizing one or more video capturing devices (e.g., video cameras).Upon remotely determining the user input from the input region in step610, the processor module 702 may send the results to the output module710 in step 614, to present the processed results to the user. Theprocessed results, for example, may be presented to the user in the formof text, graphics, audio, video, or in some other forms of feedback oraction, such as a device 700 engaging in communication with anotherdevice.

The input assist module 708, in step 612 of process 600, provides inputassisting features during virtual input. Examples of such inputassisting features include, but not limited to: visual aides for avirtual interface in the form of illuminated guides projected on aninput region (e.g., generated by laser or LED), illumination of theinput region to compensate for poor lighting conditions (e.g., providedby a light source of the device), visual prompts on an output display,and audible cues such as various beeping sounds for alerting users.

The configuration module 712 facilitates in the configuration of varioussettings of components or modules in the virtual input device 700. Thismodule may be implemented in software, hardware or combination of both.In software, configuration module 712 may simply consist of a set ofprogram instructions. In hardware, configuration module 712 may beimplemented as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).Alternatively, configuration module 712 may be a general-purposeprocessor in device 700 that is dedicated for the purpose offacilitating the configuration of device component settings. Forexample, configuration module 712 may perform steps 602 and 604 ofprocess 600 by executing program instructions stored in the memorymodule 704. In step 602, the configuration module 712 determines if achange in one or more operational characteristics of the device 700 hasoccurred. Upon a determination that such change(s) occurred, theconfiguration module automatically changes one or more correspondingcomponent setting(s) of the device in step 604. If the processingcontinues in step 606, the process 600 is then repeated to determineadditional inputs or functions. Otherwise, the operation may beterminated. The operational characteristics herein refer to any of thedevice's parameters, modes, and conditions of operation. Changes in theenvironmental operating conditions, such as changes in external lightingduring user input, constitute one such example. Correspondingly, theconfiguration module 712 may automatically change, for instance, thesettings of the input assist module 708 to provide adequate lighting.

It is worth noting that the input module 706, the output module 710 andthe input assist module 708 may be provided as separate entities to adevice 700 apart from a single physical unit. It should be observed thatthe apparatus components described herein have been represented whereappropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing onlypertinent specific details so as not to obscure the disclosure withdetails that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart having the benefit of the description herein. It is understood thatthe data entry device 700 may be provided in many different examplessuch as personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs),telephones, wireless telephones, remote controls, electronic musicalinstruments, control consoles of industrial or medical devices, and thelike, or any other device whereby user input is received by the devicefor processing.

In one exemplary form of the present invention, a virtual input device700 incorporating actuating object identification technology todifferentiate input objects may be used to process virtual mouse input,as illustrated in FIG. 5. The input module 706 may utilize one or morevideo data capturing devices, such as a video camera 500 in FIG, 5, tocapture the motion information of input object(s), such as a user'sfinger 502, in an input region 504 on a surface that is within the viewof the camera 500. The captured data is then processed by the device'sprocessor module 702 to determine the corresponding mouse input. Forexample, actuation of the input region 504 in the form of a slidingmotion made by a left index finger as shown in FIG. 5 may represent acorresponding mouse cursor movement, while the same motion made by aleft middle finger may represent a “next” function for selecting itemsin a menu. As another example, mouse clicks may be achieved during inputby tapping one or more particular fingers in the input region 504.Tapping the index finger of a left hand once may correspond to singleclicking the left button on a conventional mouse, and tapping the samefinger twice may correspond to double clicking the same button. However,tapping another finger, such as the middle finger of the left hand, orperhaps tapping both the index and middle fingers, may correspond toclicking the right button on a conventional mouse as the input objectsare differentiated during input.

The processor module 702 executing actuating object identificationprogram instructions may differentiate the input objects via certainfeatures. For example, the size, shape, edge, vein pattern, nail color,skin texture, and skin tone are just some of the features that may beused to identify and differentiate the tapping fingers of a user, asdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/361,858 by Ling Su etal. The same patent application also describes methods and apparatus forcapturing and processing input object motion and determining tappingevents and locations.

In another exemplary form of the present invention, a virtual inputdevice 700 incorporating actuating object identification technology todifferentiate input objects may be used to process virtual keyboardinput, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The input module 706 may utilize one ormore video data capturing devices, such as a video camera 100 in FIG. 1,to capture the motion information of input object(s), such as a user'sfinger 102, in an input region 104 on a surface that is within the viewof the camera 100. The captured data is then processed by the device'sprocessor module 702 to determine the corresponding keyboard input.

A virtual QWERTY keyboard interface 300 that is suited for touch typinginput in the aforementioned data entry device is illustrated in FIG, 3.That is, keyboard interface 300 may be provided in input region 104 toaccept touch typing input from a user. For clarity of illustration, onlyalphabetic symbols are shown in keyboard interface 300, it is understoodthat other symbols and functions, such as numeric symbols, may beprovided by keyboard interface 300 in an alternative mode of operation.Compared to conventional QWERTY keyboards, key regions of keyboardinterface such as 302 are generally longer and larger since keysassociated with symbols or functions input by fingers on the same handmay be merged into a single key. The particular symbol or function on amerged key to be input during a keystroke is dependent on which fingeris identified as the corresponding tapping finger by the processormodule 702 executing actuating object identification programinstructions. Thus, for example, if a ring finger from the fingers of auser's left hand 404, FIG. 4, is identified as striking key region 402(shown in its corresponding representation as 302 in FIG. 3) having thesymbols “Z”, “X”, “C”, and “V”, as then the corresponding input symboldetermined is “X”, since that is the symbol in key region 402 assignedto the left ring finger in accordance with conventional touch typingmethods on a QWERTY keyboard. Precisely where within key region 402 isstruck does not matter because it is the input object that determinesthe corresponding input symbol within a key region.

As mobile computing becomes ubiquitous, virtual input may find numerouspractical applications in the mobile space. Since many mobile devicestoday are equipped with video cameras, these devices may be used toenable virtual input as described above.

For some mobile devices with built-in cameras, such those that use the3G network, their cameras may be swiveled. This permits the camera to bepointed at the phone's user while carrying out a video conference with aremote party. Other phones may actually be equipped with two cameras,usually pointing in opposite directions. One of these cameras may beused for taking pictures while the other may be dedicated to videoconferencing operations. These mobile devices may be easily adapted toperform virtual input based on differentiated objects.

Virtual input devices implemented in the aforementioned mobile devicesmay consist of components described with reference to FIG. 7. Theappropriate configuration of these components can be critical to thedevice's operation, input accuracy, and usability. As an example, theswivel camera of a mobile device may need to be rotated to face theinput area before input can be enabled. The component settings affectedby this change in the operational characteristics of the device mayinclude: camera focus, view angle, capture speed, exposure, etc.

While users may manually configure many of the settings of abovecomponents (e.g., turn on or off a feature under a specific condition)through software and/or hardware interface of the device, they willappreciate the convenience of automatic adjustment of many of thecomponents and features based on common usage context such that somechange(s) in the device's operational characteristics will triggerchange(s) in other components and settings accordingly. The triggers maybe initiated manually by users as they modify some operationalcharacteristics of the device, such as activating a virtual inputmodule, or automatically through the configuration module's detection ofenvironmental or usage changes. The resultant changes to other settingsmay be determined based on users' prior selection, user behaviors, or acombination of these. For example, a user may rotate or pop up thecamera to the input position (facing an input area), thus triggering thedevice's automatic adjustment of other features to prepare for an inputsession. The camera's focus range and view angle may be set for input.The actuating object identification software enabling differentiatedobject input would be initiated and camera capture speed, exposurelevel, and assisting lighting would be set for the input applicationbased on existing lighting conditions. Visual or audio cues would alsobe automatically turned on or off based on the user's setting for aninput application.

In many cases, default or customizable profiles could be used to definethe trigger events or conditions and the associated changes and settingsmade to other features. That is, a combination of particular operationalcharacteristics and particular component settings of said device may begrouped together as profiles. Users may select the profiles manuallythrough a software or hardware user interface. The profiles may also beselected automatically by software during input according to usage orenvironmental conditions.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a mobile device such as a smart phone 200 that isequipped with a swivel camera 202. During virtual input as depicted inFIG. 2, camera 202 must be pointed at the typing hands 204 so that theyare within the camera's view 206. In a preferred form of the currentinvention, adjustment of the camera 202 to point to the typing hands 204may be automated. This may be done, for example, by detecting theconfiguring of device 200 for input, such as the launching of a notepadapplication, text messaging application, spreadsheet application, and soon. Other possibilities may range from something as simple as selectinga function/option designated for input (e.g., pressing a button/key) tosomething more advanced such as making a certain gesture within thecamera's view (e.g., posing a “V” sign using aright index and middlefinger). In addition to swiveling the camera into position, actuatingobject identification and differentiation enabled software modules maybe initiated automatically and other component settings associated withthe camera that are pertinent to data entry operations may also beautomatically set. As previously mentioned, these may include capturesettings such as camera focus, view angle, and exposure, and assistingfeatures such as turning on an LED light source as needed to providingadditional lighting or projecting an illuminated keyboard interface onthe working surface and silencing the audio cues if the “library”profile is currently selected. Conversely, a manual configuring of thecamera 202 for data entry settings may trigger the device 200 toautomatically switch into input mode by, for example, launching an inputapplication such as text messaging and adjusting the aforementionedsettings associated with input. Such manual configuring of camera 202may include any of the adjustments such as: camera focus, view angle,exposure, and pointing direction. A switch or sensor may be embeddedwithin the camera for such purposes so that switching the camera intoinput position may be conveniently detected and used for triggeringadjustments in the corresponding component settings.

As previously indicated, some devices may be configured with two camerasthat point in opposite directions, instead of a single swivel camera. Insuch instances, the methods of automatic camera and deviceconfigurations for virtual input as described with reference to FIG. 2may be similarly applied. For example, configuration of such a devicefor input, such as the launching of a text messaging application orpressing a certain button, may automatically switch one of the camerasfor capturing input (i.e., data entry) into operation, as well assetting associated camera parameters and configurations such as camerafocus, view angle and exposure to values optimal for data entry.Likewise, a manual switching of the camera designated for capturinginput into operation may trigger the device to automatically configurefor data entry by, for example, launching an input application such astext messaging and configuring settings associated with input, similarto those mentioned previously. Users may also manually trigger the inputfunction and associated settings through an on-screen soft key orhardware shortcut button.

The assisting visual cues mentioned previously may be provided in manyways. A detailed or simplified keyboard (or simply indicators of keypositions) may be displayed, projected, or drawn on the input region. Acertain gesture made with particular input fingers or activation of ahardware or on-screen key may be used to switch between different inputmodes of the keyboard interface. Similarly, the same may be applied toactivate and de-active input assisting features, such as those providedby the input assist module 708. Examples of such input assistingfeatures include: visual aides for a virtual interface in the form ofilluminated guides projected on an input region (e.g., generated bylaser or LED), illumination of the input region to compensate for poorlighting conditions (e.g., provided by a light source of the device),visual prompts on an output display, and audible cues such as variousbeeping sounds for alerting users.

As the lighting may be insufficient in some data entry environments, itmay be useful to provide illumination in these situations, for example,via the use of LEDs or other light sources provided by the input assistmodule 708. Such light source(s) may be configured to automaticallyactivate upon a determination that the lighting condition during inputoperations is inadequate, as carried out by configuration module 712.This may be achieved by monitoring the remote data acquired by a videocapturing device, such as camera 100 in FIG. 1, or 202 in FIG. 2, usedto capture input object information or one or more dedicated sensor(s)for this purpose (e.g., a photosensor).

During virtual input, it is important for the input objects, such as auser's fingers, to be within the view of the video camera that capturesinput information pertaining to the objects, such as finger movement andtapping location. Visual guides or cues may be provided to assist usersin locating the camera's view area and/or virtual interface. In onepreferred form of the present invention, such a visual guide may beprovided in the form of a projection generated by a laser or LED lightsource. Projection of the laser or LED onto the typing surface in theform of a “dot” may be used to indicate, for example, the center of avirtual keyboard, which may be set to be midway between the “G” and “H”keys on a conventional QWERTY keyboard, or the “5” key on a phonekeypad. The projected “dot” or point may also be used to indicate thecenter of a virtual touchpad for mouse input. In another preferred formof the present invention, the visual guide may be projected line ontothe typing surface representing, for example, the middle row ofalphabetic keys on a QWERTY style keyboard (i.e., the row of keyscontaining “A”, “S”, “D”, etc.). This is the position that touch typiststypically rest their hands when no keystroke is taking place, and thusserves as a reference position for the QWERTY style keyboard. The “5”key on a phone keypad may similarly serve as a reference position forother keys on the keypad.

For virtual input devices that differentiates input objects, a dot or aline indicating the middle row of a keyboard interface may be sufficientto enable efficient touch typing. This is apparent from FIG. 4 thatthere are only 3 rows of keys fur alphabetic input in a keyboardinterface for virtual input enabled with input object differentiation.Thus, the typing fingers on a user's hand need only to protrude forwardand press down to access symbols or functions in the top row, press downin-place to access symbols or functions in the middle row, or pull backand press down to access symbols or functions in the bottom row.Accessing symbols such as “T”, “Y”, “G”, etc. in the middle column willfurther require the index fingers to also protrude slightly to the leftor right. Therefore, a dot or line that enables a hand to establish themiddle row of keys as its initial position enables all the input symbolsor functions to be input just as in touch typing. In yet anotherpreferred form of the present invention, however, the visual guides maybe more detailed, such as in the form of an illuminated outline of thekey regions of a QWERTY style keyboard as shown in FIG, 4.

To conserve energy, which is especially important for mobile devices,the visual prompts or cues described above need not be shown during theentire duration of the data entry operation. For example, the visualguides may be automatically shown only briefly at the beginning of aninput session to assist a user in positioning his input fingers. Thevisual prompts may also be shown automatically when input object(s) aredetected within an input region. It may be useful, however, to brieflydisplay visual guides when input object(s) are no longer detected withinin an input region. This may serve to alert users that their inputfingers or hands have wandered outside of the input region. Furthermore,the visual prompts may be manually activated, for example, by the uservia pressing a button, using a particular gesture, or be automaticallyactivated, for example, by the input device upon determining that aninput session has been initiated such as via the launching of a textmessaging application. The user may also activate the display of theguides by other means, such as making the “V” sign with a right indexand middle finger, mentioned previously, within the input region. Inaddition, visual guides and audio cues may be, according to a user'ssettings, automatically disabled or switched to a simplified form (e.g.,projecting only a dot at a certain time interval instead of projectingan entire keyboard interface). Users may select how long after thecurrent input session begins, or after input hands or activities are notdetected (idle time), the device will trigger those changes. Again,users may always re-activate a particular visual cue via an inputgesture or software or hardware shortcut keys, as described above.

During virtual input, such as touch typing on a QWERTY style keyboardinterface, a user's hands may drift over time as there are no physicalkeys underneath to restrict hand position. In such instances, it may beuseful to have the visual guides displayed again, either briefly orpermanently, as prompt to the user on where to position his hands. Thismay be performed automatically using alerting features when, forexample, the input device's configuration module 712 determines fromobject information captured by the video camera that some portion of theuser's hands are outside of the camera's view (or input region).

Instead of having a fixed location, the position of a virtual keyboardinterface within an input region may be adjusted dynamically in a fixedrelation to a user's typing hands. More specifically, the position of apalm or knuckles of a hand may be set as a reference for the keyboard.This will allow greater accuracy and comfort during typing since users'hands may drift while typing on virtual keyboards. For betterergonomics, a QWERTY style keyboard may be further split into sections,such as a left half and a right half, wherein the location of eachsection may be each adjusted dynamically in a fixed relation to thecorresponding palm or knuckles of a user's hand. This is depicted inFIG. 8. For clarity of illustration, only a right hand 801 and the righthalf 802 of a virtual QWERTY style keyboard in alphabetic input mode isshown within input region 803. It is understood that a keyboard sectionherein refers to a portion of a keyboard comprising one or more keys orkey regions (i.e., the smallest functional unit of a keyboard).

When the location of a virtual keyboard interface changes dynamically inrelation to some reference, such as the palm or knuckles of a user'shand(s), any illuminated guides of the keyboard interface projected ontoan input region as an assisting feature must also change its locationdynamically in relation to the same reference. This enables users toliterally “see” the virtual keyboard interface, such as 802 of FIG. 8,and how it moves in unison with the reference palm(s) or knuckle(s) asthey type.

Besides location, other characteristics of a virtual keyboard interfacemay be modified in response to changes in the states of its referenceobject. For example, rotating a user's hands may cause the orientationof the virtual keyboard interface to rotate accordingly. Othercharacteristics of a virtual keyboard interface that may be affected bystate changes in a reference object such as a user's hand include: keyregion size, key region spacing, key region orientation, keyboard layout(e.g., QWERTY, phone, etc.), and keyboard size. As another example, keyregions in a keyboard may be spaced farther apart when fingers on atyping hand are spread out. In this case, the knuckles of a finger mayserve as reference tzar the key region locations. In addition, the keyregions may become larger when bigger hands and fingers are detectedwithin an input region. Likewise, the keyboard interface itself willalso become larger. Conversely, a smaller keyboard interface withsmaller key regions may be provided when smaller hands and fingers aredetected.

When visual assisting features such as laser or LED projections of akeyboard interface are provided, the corresponding characteristics ofthe projections may also change in response to changes in the states ofthe interface's reference object. For example, rotating a user's handsmay cause the orientation of the projected visual guides for a keyboardinterface to rotate accordingly. As another example, key regions in theprojected keyboard interface may be spaced farther apart when fingers ona typing hand are spread out. Again, the knuckles of a finger may serveas reference for the key region locations. In addition, the projectedkey regions may become larger when bigger hands are detected. Aprojection of a QWERTY style keyboard interface may be provided toassist input when both hands are in typing position in the input region,while a projection of a phone keypad layout of keys may be provided whenonly one of the user's hands is posed for typing.

Although the advantages of the aforementioned assisting featuresconsisting of projected visual guides is apparent from the abovediscussion in the context of virtual input devices that differentiateinput objects, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatthe same advantages are applicable to conventional virtual input devicesthat do not differentiate input objects.

While the present invention has been described above in terms ofspecific examples and embodiments with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended tobe confined or limited to those precise embodiments disclosed herein. Onthe contrary, the present invention is intended to cover variousstructures and modifications. It should be clearly understood that manyvariations and/or modifications of the basic inventive concepts hereintaught, which may appear to those skilled in the pertinent art, willstill fill within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Allsuch changes and modifications are intended to be included within thescope of the invention.

1. A method of configuring component settings of a virtual input devicehaving a virtual input region for inputting associated symbols andfunctions, comprising: providing an input module in a position remotefrom the virtual input region and performing with the input module dataacquisition of the virtual input region to determine the position of aunique input object from a group of unique input objects controlled by auser of the device providing a processor and, with the processor:determining from the data acquisition an actuation of the virtual inputregion by one of the unique input objects, and identifying the uniqueinput object from the group of unique input objects; providing an inputassist module and providing with the input assist module input assistingfeatures; providing a configuration module and, with the configurationmodule: determining a change in an operational characteristic of thedevice; and changing one or more of the device's component settings inresponse to the step of determining of a change; and providing an outputmodule and outputting with the output module a symbol function of thevirtual input device assigned to the input object identified.
 2. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein said unique input objects comprisesaid user's fingers.
 3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein saidoperational characteristic includes environmental operating conditionsof the device.
 4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the change inan operational characteristic of the device comprises a user-initiatedconfiguration of at least one component setting of the device, saiduser-initiated configuration includes one or more of: (a) launching aninput software application, (b) making a particular gesture within theinput region using at least one input object, and (c) selecting aprofile comprising a combination of particular operationalcharacteristics and particular component settings of said device.
 5. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the change in an operationalcharacteristic of the device comprises a user-initiated configuration ofa swivel video capturing device coupled to the virtual input device asthe input module, said user-initiated configuration includes one or moreof: (a) rotating said video capturing device, (b) adjusting the focus ofsaid video capturing device, (c) adjusting the view angle of said videocapturing device, and (d) adjusting the pointing of said video capturingdevice.
 6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said componentsettings of the device include one or more of: (a) focus of a videocapturing device coupled to the device as the input module, (b) viewangle of a video capturing device coupled to the device as the inputmodule, (c) pointing of a video capturing device coupled to the deviceas the input module, and (d) activation of the input module coupled tothe device.
 7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein changing saidcomponent settings of the device include the activation or de-activationof at least one input assisting feature of the input assist module.
 8. Amethod as recited in claim 7, wherein the step of determining a changein an operational characteristic of the device comprises determiningfrom the data acquisition a gesture made with at least one input objectto activate or de-activate said input assisting feature.
 9. A method asrecited in claim 7, wherein said input assisting feature includesillumination of the input region provided by a light source of thedevice.
 10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the step ofdetermining a change in an operational characteristic of the devicecomprises determining a change in the device's environmental lightingconditions during operation, and wherein the step of changing one ormore of the component settings comprises activating or de-activatingsaid light source of the device.
 11. A method as recited in claim 1,wherein said input module further provides a keyboard interface in thevirtual input region for user input, and wherein said keyboard interfaceis divided into sections, and further wherein the step of changing oneor more component settings comprises dynamically modifying thecharacteristics of the individual sections of the keyboard interface inresponse to a change in the state of at least one reference object asdetermined from the data acquisition.
 12. A method as recited in claim11, wherein the step of dynamically modifying the characteristics ofsaid individual sections of the keyboard interface comprises dynamicallymodifying the location of a keyboard section in response to a change inthe location of the user's reference palm or knuckles.
 13. A method asrecited in claim 11, wherein the step of dynamically modifying thecharacteristics of said individual sections of the keyboard interfacecomprises dynamically modifying the orientation of a keyboard section inresponse to a change in the orientation of the user's reference palm orknuckles.
 14. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the step ofdynamically modifying the characteristics of said individual sections ofthe keyboard interface comprises dynamically modifying one or more of:spacing between key regions in a keyboard section; and size of akeyboard section; in response to a change in one or more of: spread ofthe user's reference finger(s); size of the user's reference hand(s);and size of the user's reference finger(s).
 15. A method as recited inclaim 1, wherein said input assisting feature includes projecting fromthe input assist module an illuminated visual guide in the virtual inputregion.
 16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said visual guideincludes one or more of: (a) an illuminated point in the virtual inputregion to indicate the center of a virtual input interface, (b) anilluminated line in the virtual input region to indicate the center rowof a virtual keyboard interface, and (c) an illuminated outline in thevirtual input region to indicate the boundaries of a virtual inputinterface.
 17. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said visualguide comprise an illuminated virtual keyboard interface, and furtherwherein the step of changing one or more component settings comprisesmodifying dynamically the location of said keyboard interface inresponse to a change in the location of the user's reference palm orknuckles.
 18. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said visual guidecomprise an illuminated virtual keyboard interface, and further whereinthe step of changing one or more component settings comprises modifyingdynamically the orientation of said keyboard interface in response to achange in the orientation of the user's reference palm or knuckles. 19.A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said visual guide comprise anilluminated virtual keyboard interface, and further wherein the step ofchanging one or more component settings comprises modifying dynamicallyone or more of spacing between key regions in the keyboard interface;and size of the keyboard interface; in response to a change in one ormore of: spread of the user's reference finger(s); size of the user'sreference hand(s); and size of the user's reference finger(s).
 20. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of changing one or morecomponent settings comprises one or more of: (a) automatically disablingat least one assisting feature after a period of time; (b) enablingand/or disabling at least one assisting feature upon detecting withinthe input region a particular gesture made with an input object; (c)enabling at least one assisting feature when an input object is detectedwithin the input region; and (d) briefly enabling at least one assistingfeature when input objects are no longer detected within the inputregion.
 21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein said assistingfeatures comprise at least one of: (a) illumination of the input regionprovided by a light source of the device, and (b) illuminated visualguide for a virtual input interface projected in the input region. 22.An apparatus for configuring component settings of a virtual inputdevice having a virtual input region, comprising: a memory moduleadapted to store information associating input symbols or functions withthe virtual input region, wherein the input symbols or functions areindividually assigned to a unique input Object from a group of uniqueinput objects controlled by a user of the device; an input moduleadapted to perform remote data acquisition of the virtual input regionto determine the position of input objects in the virtual input region;a processor adapted to determine from the data acquisition an actuationof the virtual input region by one of the unique input Objects anddetermine the identity of the unique input object from the group ofunique input objects; an input assist module adapted to provide inputassisting features; a configuration module adapted to determine a changein an operational characteristic of the device and to change one or moreof the device's component settings in response to the change determined;and an output module adapted to output the symbol or function assignedto the input object identified.
 23. An apparatus as recited in claim22., wherein said input objects comprise said user's fingers.
 24. Anapparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said operationalcharacteristic includes environmental operating conditions of thedevice.
 25. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein the change inan operational characteristic of the device comprises a user-initiatedconfiguration of at least one component setting of the device, saiduser-initiated configuration includes one or more of: (a) launching aninput software application, (b) making a particular gesture within theinput region using at least one input object, and (c) selecting aprofile comprising a combination of particular operationalcharacteristics and particular component settings of said device.
 26. Anapparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein the change in an operationalcharacteristic of the device comprises a user-initiated configuration ofa swivel video capturing device coupled to the virtual input device asthe input module, said user-initiated configuration includes one or moreof: (a) rotating said video capturing device, (b) adjusting the focus ofsaid video capturing device, (c) adjusting the view angle of said videocapturing device, and (d) adjusting the pointing of said video capturingdevice.
 27. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said componentsettings of the device include one or more of: (a) focus of a videocapturing device coupled to the device as the input module, (b) viewangle of a video capturing device coupled to the device as the inputmodule, (c) pointing of a video capturing device coupled to the deviceas the input module, and (d) activation of the input module coupled tothe device.
 28. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein saidconfiguration module is adapted to change one or more of the componentsettings by activating or de-activating at least one input assistingfeature of the input assist module.
 29. An apparatus as recited in claim28, wherein the configuration module is adapted to determine a change inan operational characteristic by determining from the data acquisition agesture made with at least one input object to activate or de-activatesaid input assisting feature.
 30. An apparatus as recited in claim 28,wherein said input assisting feature includes illumination of the inputregion provided by a light source of the device.
 31. An apparatus asrecited in claim 30, wherein the configuration module is adapted todetermine a change in an operational characteristic and to change one ormore of the component settings by determining a change in the device'senvironmental lighting conditions during operation and activating orde-activating said light source of the device in response.
 32. Anapparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said input module is furtheradapted to provide a keyboard interface in the virtual input region foruser input, and wherein said keyboard interface is divided intosections, and further wherein the configuration module is adapted tochange one or more of the component settings by dynamically modifyingthe characteristics of the individual sections of the keyboard interfacein response to a change in the state of at least one reference object asdetermined from the data acquisition.
 33. An apparatus as recited inclaim 32, wherein the configuration module modifies the characteristicsof said individual sections of the keyboard interface by dynamicallymodifying the location of a keyboard section in response to a change inthe location of the user's reference palm or knuckles.
 34. An apparatusas recited in claim 32, wherein the configuration module modifies thecharacteristics of said individual sections of the keyboard interface bydynamically modifying the orientation of a keyboard section in responseto a change in the orientation of the user's reference palm or knuckles.35. An apparatus as recited in claim 32, wherein the configurationmodule dynamically modifies the characteristics of said individualsections of the keyboard interface by dynamically modifying one or moreof: spacing between key regions in a keyboard section; and size of akeyboard section; in response to a change in one or more of: spread ofthe user's reference finger(s); size of the user's reference hand(s);and size of the user's reference finger(s).
 36. An apparatus as recitedin claim 32, wherein said input assisting feature includes projectingfrom the input assist module an illuminated visual guide in the virtualinput region.
 37. An apparatus as recited in claim 36, wherein saidvisual guide includes one of: (a) an illuminated point in the inputregion to indicate the center of a virtual input interface, (b) anilluminated line in the input region to indicate the center row of avirtual keyboard interface, and (c) an illuminated outline in the inputregion to indicate the boundaries of a virtual input interface.
 38. Anapparatus as recited in claim 36, wherein said visual guide comprise anilluminated virtual keyboard interface, and further wherein theconfiguration module is adapted to modify one or more component settingsby modifying dynamically the location of said keyboard interface inresponse to a change in the location of a user's reference palm orknuckles,
 39. An apparatus as recited in claim 36, wherein said visualguide comprise an illuminated virtual keyboard interface, and furtherwherein the configuration module is adapted to modify one or morecomponent settings by modifying dynamically the orientation of saidkeyboard interface in response to a change in the orientation of auser's reference palm or knuckles.
 40. An apparatus as recited in claim36, wherein said visual guide comprise an illuminated virtual keyboardinterface, and further wherein the configuration module is adapted tomodify one or more component settings by modifying dynamically one ormore of: spacing between key regions in the keyboard interface; and sizeof the keyboard interface; in response to a change in one or more of:spread of the user's reference finger(s); size of the user's referencehand(s); and size of the user's reference finger(s).
 41. An apparatus asrecited in claim 22, wherein the configuration module is adapted tochange one or more component settings by: (a) automatically disabling atleast one assisting feature after a period of time; (b) enabling and/ordisabling at least one assisting feature upon detecting within the inputregion a particular gesture made with an input object; (c) enabling atleast one assisting feature when an input object is detected within theinput region; and (d) briefly enabling at least one assisting featurewhen input objects are no longer detected within the input region. 42.An apparatus as recited in claim 41, wherein said assisting featurescomprise at least one of: (a) illumination of the input region providedby a light source of the device, and (b) illuminated visual guide for avirtual input interface projected in the input region.